By Josh Lopez
April 22, 2023— An event was held at the Las Vegas Expo World Market Center. Many anime fans gathered around to meet their favorite voice actors, cosplayers, watch live panels, and buy new merch from vendors to take home and reminisce about the wonderful weekend they had. As it may be this otaku attended the event and had a blast meeting new friends, making memories and enjoying all things anime with others.
For starters, I’m from California, so for those who have ever been to Nevada especially Las Vegas, you’ll understand it's kind of a lengthy drive, but if you have the right people with you, the journey there isn’t so bad. Except for the drive back.
Outside the expo was a pretty big area. Many tables were spread around so people could sit back and relax. Also there were many Itasha Cars for people to look at and food trucks just in case you got hungry. Inside the WMC you had to check in for your badge and were led right into the convention where it felt like Disneyland all over again, and if you’ve never been to a con, then it would feel like a dream came true.
Once inside many artist alleys and vendor tables are set up for people to browse and buy anything they are willing to spend money on. Trust me folks. Bring enough money unless you’re willing to survive on 7/11 food. You’re gonna go broke.
As you look around in amazement, you’ll see many cosplayers taking pictures with random people. I asked a fellow attendee how she felt about cosplaying and her response was “It’s awkward as F$@! hahaha!” but she agreed with me that it was fun.
The more I looked around the more the event began to unfold in front of me. There was even a wrestling ring on the far right end of the expo where a match was being held. People around the ring watched and cheered, hoping to see a stone cold stunner or an RKO, but in the end one wrestler came out victorious. As people began to leave, this gave me another opportunity to ask a fellow nerd what his favorite anime’s were “ uhhh Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, and My Hero Academia forsure!” I followed with “why?” His final response was “Why not?” To be honest I couldn’t think of another question better than his response, so I laughed and left to wander the rest of the con.
As the sun began to set, many people started leaving and as much as I enjoyed myself meeting new people and buying many new things that caused a dent in my wallet, I was excited for what came in the night.
8PM hit and many people lined up to get inside for the after party held on the 6th floor of the expo. For anyone under 18 years of age, I’m sorry you couldn’t make it, but for those 21 years or older we knew how to party. As you make your way through the double doors a live band by the name Not A Phase began performing cover songs by emo bands from the early 2000s; songs by the likes of Paramore, My Chemical Romance, Panic at the Disco, etc, as they had a crowd of adults reliving their When we were Young days. I made my way jumping around hoping to ask someone about anime. I was immediately pushed around by others while someone in cosplay yelled “F%$#@! anime!”, and continued to sing Decode. Ironic yes. Was it a troll? Yes indeed, but at least I got my answer. As the night progressed my memory begins to fade from there but that's okay I had my fun besides this was only the first day.
Day 2 was even better, but I miss being back on vacation, so I think I’ll end it right here. If you’ve never been to a con, then SBVC students you're in luck cause on May 27 & 28th Four Empires is hosting another con.
Anime Riverside is coming!
So buy your tickets and attend because I guarantee you’ll have a blast. Either its anime related or SDCC(San Diego Comic Con) conventions are a great way to have fun with your friends and even bring your family along too. If you made it this far then I’ll leave you with this as someone said in a favorite movie of mine, “ If you build it, nerds will come”.
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